Sailmonger MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Monger
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	95
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Michael Sutfin

Key Takeaways

Sailmonger excels at instant speed plays, creating substantial strategic depth and tactical advantage.
It may strain your hand due to its discard requirement, making timing crucial for its activation.
Despite a specific mana cost, its inclusion in decks offers enhanced versatility and combo potential.

Text of card

: Target creature gains flying until end of turn. Any player may play this ability.

Clients who cheat the sailmonger make an impact on the rest.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sailmonger offers tactical flexibility by potentially providing card draw, keeping your hand stocked to outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly tied to mana production, Sailmonger can manipulate resources by enabling smoother sailing for your more powerful spells to come into play.

Instant Speed: As an ability that can be activated at instant speed, Sailmonger allows you to adapt to the shifting tides of the game, making strategic plays in response to your opponent’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sailmonger necessitates giving up another card to activate its effect, which can be detrimental if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Sailmonger includes a demanding combination of blue and generic mana points, potentially constraining its integration into a wide array of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of four mana to deploy, Sailmonger may pale in comparison to other cards at a similar mana tier with more advantageous abilities or impactful board presence.

Reasons to Include Sailmonger in Your Collection

Versatility: Sailmonger’s ability to manipulate a creature’s color on the fly can be a significant advantage in a variety of deck builds. Its flexibility allows it to seamlessly integrate into control or combo decks that prioritize strategic color designation.

Combo Potential: In decks that exploit color-specific interactions and protections, Sailmonger opens up the opportunity for creative combos. Players can utilize it for sudden defensive maneuvers or to enable combos with color-dependent triggers and effects.

Meta-Relevance: As meta shifts happen and color-targeted spells or abilities become more prevalent, having a card like Sailmonger can provide a distinct edge. It adapts well against opponents who rely heavily on color-specific strategies, thus adding a layer of resilience to your collection.

How to Beat Sailmonger

Encountering Sailmonger on the battlefield in an MTG game can be a nuanced challenge. This blue creature card gives your opponent the ability to control the fickle seas by manipulating the power and toughness of any creature with the toss of a coin. The card’s unique ability to protect creatures from damage using mana can thwart your traditional tactics of removal or combat damage.

To effectively counter this slippery card, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key. Techniques such as countering it upon casting, using uncounterable spells, or deploying abilities that disregard the toughness of creatures can be particularly effective. Targeted removal spells that don’t deal damage, or those that exile rather than destroy, help bypass the Sailmonger’s protective ability. Also, employing strategies that limit mana availability restricts your opponent’s ability to use Sailmonger’s ability to its full extent. Denying your opponent resources or overwhelming them with multiple threats at once can ensure your path to victory remains unobstructed.

Overall, outmaneuvering Sailmonger requires a mix of strategic foresight and versatile card selection. By adapting your approach and maintaining pressure, you can navigate around this crafty card and steer your match towards a favorable outcome.

Cards like Sailmonger

Sailmonger is an intriguing creature within Magic: The Gathering that offers players the ability to grant any creature the ability to be unblockable for a round. This ability is reminiscent of cards like Glint, which similarly provide a temporary evasion benefit. What sets Sailmonger apart is its versatility, allowing you to target any creature on the battlefield repeatedly, so long as you have the mana to spare. Glint, contrarily, is restricted to targeting only a single creature and is a one-time spell.

Turning attention to another comparable card, we have the Crafty Pathmage, also known for offering a form of evasion to other creatures. Crafty Pathmage allows for a specific creature to become unblockable, focusing on cards with a certain power. Sailmonger doesn’t have this restriction and can be a game-changer for any creature, regardless of its power. This open-ended utility might come at a higher mana cost but could be advantageous in the right deck.

Ultimately, Sailmonger holds its own within the category of blue creatures that manipulate combat dynamics in Magic: The Gathering. Its broad targeting scope could be a strategic asset, especially when late-game board states become complex and full of potential targets for its ability.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sailmonger MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Sailmonger and other MTG cards: